Encouragingly, adults between the ages of 60 and 85 years were reported to have improved in brain function, such as reaction time and memory, by regularly taking part in exercise. Not only that, but MRI scans revealed newly produced brain cells.
This is welcome news, and the younger the person is that exercises the better. Exercise keeps the brain healthy and strong and could defend against conditions affecting the brain later in life. It improves learning and memory, great at any age, as there is no ‘cut-off’ time to learning and storing information, and exercise lifts the mood. The perfect anti-depressant.
The current times record that the human population and occurrence of people developing dementia is on the rise. Conditions under dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease cause brain cells to stop working properly and eventually die. As regular exercise produces brain cells, it could slow the course of dementia down in a person that is newly diagnosed.
Crucially, by exercising regularly it can at the very least make the brain stronger and combat mental decline.
What is exercise?
It does not necessarily mean pushing dumb bells or burning calories on a treadmill. It can be in the form of any physical activity such as walking to the shops, washing the car, doing the housework, cutting the grass or carrying the shopping.
My challenge to you is to walk or wheel your wheelchair to the nearest supermarket, whether that’s 400 metres away or 2 miles away, and carry your shopping bags home. Obviously, if the supermarket is more than 2 miles you will need to do a lighter shop. But it is achievable, especially with an added rucksack or a wheelchair bag. (If walking, keep your back supported by padding out the rucksack and evenly distributing the weight inside and carry your shopping bags close to your trunk).
What will you potentially gain?
...the start to a healthier heart and lungs, fuel savings, stronger bones and joints, burnt energy for weight management, lifted mood, sharper mental performance and perhaps a new brain cell! But don’t forget, to produce more brain cells, this physical activity and others need to be carried out regularly.
Please leave your comments and let me know how you got on with the challenge.
If you haven’t already, check out my website’s Services & Prices’ and exercise your brain further by purchasing a 1:1 Fitness Training session and receive a 1:1 Brain-Body Fitness Training session absolutely free for a limited time only!
Reference
van Praag, H (2009) Exercise and the brain: something to chew on.
Available from: www.nih.gov
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